Terri Schiavo

By now you are probably aware of the case surrounding Terri Schiavo. Ms. Schiavo’s heart suddenly stopped causing an imbalance in Potassium levels (probably brought on by bulimia) to halt Oxygen flow to her brain in 1990. Since then, she has been confined to a hospital bed unable to speak or clearly communicate, and unable to eat. She has been surviving in large part due to a feeding tube that is inserted through her belly-button.

Terri is now at the center of a huge political storm that has fiery proponents on both ends with some very polarized viewpoints. Her husband would like to have the feeding tube removed and allow his wife to die (basically starve to death) shortly thereafter. He believes that she is essentially dead now and would like for her to physically pass on as opposed to merely existing. Her family, including her parents, would like to have the feeding tube remain. They believe that it is possible Terri can recover over time if therapy is provided.

Numerous Doctors have declared Terri to be in a persistent vegetative state (which means cannot think, speak or respond to commands and are not aware of their surroundings), incapable of recovery. About a dozen Florida Court decisions have ruled that the parents have no jurisdiction over what happens to her since Terri’s husband is her legal guardian. So last Friday Terri’s time had run out and the feeding tube was removed. But then Congress, led by Tom Delay, passed a bill that would force the replacement of the feeding tube. This bill was signed by President Bush in the wee morning hours Monday. And now we seem poised for much more debating.

I know that this is a very touchy issue, and I do understand both sides of the coin, but there’s a lot more to this than just the notion of “should we leave the feeding tube in.” So here’s my take.

Having watched death materialize right before my eyes numerous times in my life, indeed in my own home, I’d have to say that despite my losses, I never wanted to see those I loved suffer in pain, disease, or in a state in which they were only existing. Although it is unspeakably hard to part with people that you love, it is often equally as hard to watch them suffer (especially if they suffer in vain, not recovering and ultimately dying anyway).

Be that as it may, I would never say what any particular person should do in such a situation. Now that this has become a legal matter though, I’ll speak solely on that basis.

Michael Schiavo is Terri’s husband, therefore her legal guardian. So in the absence of a record of her wishes, he has the right to make the call on the feeding tube. Not Terri’s parents, not Terri’s siblings.

Though I’m not married, I’d imagine that some things are discussed in the midst of that relationship that no one else in the family is privy to (at least I hope so). Therefore things siblings or parents/children discussed may have changed during a husband/wife union. So I know that Terri’s family is saying that Terri always said she wanted to live if placed in this type of situation, and that may be true. However, it is also equally likely that in the midst of her marriage, Terri expressed to her husband that she would never want to live on like this. Who can know? This is why it is my opinion that her husband should be the only voice listened to in this matter. The law also supports as much, which is why the Florida Courts have consistently ruled in Michael Schiavo’s favor.

So now the masses (including the Right Wing of Congress) have weighed in saying this is a life, and we should support the “culture of life” (as stated by our President), sometimes saying that the Courts and Michael Schiavo are playing God, turning this into a religious issue.

Well, all “taking the tube out is playing God” arguments are null and void as far as I’m concerned simply because didn’t we “play God” by putting the tube in? Isn’t it highly likely Terri would no longer be with us if we had not? Also, turning this into a religious issue is silly since dying is sometimes an act of mercy by God (any Bible reading Christian should understand that concept-holla at me Mr. President), and who’s to say that Congress is in line with “the will of God?”

What is really bothersome to me about this is that for some reason Congress is overruling the Florida Court system, and also imposing in a private matter. Since when did this nation become a Government against the people and for the dominant party in Congress? Also, this case is by no means unique. Thousands of people are dealing with this kind of issue all over the country even as you read this. So what makes this case so important that Congress can write and pass a bill on it. Keep in mind that many Congressman will be up for re-election in two years, and they are always careful to vote in a fashion that seems to be favorable to their party and constituents. Make no mistake about it, this is a political "game."

People who support Congress on this matter fail to realize that the government is essentially saying that they have the right rule on private matters. It is likened unto the government forcing a parent to let their 3-year-old child watch television even if the parent doesn’t want them to; the parent can’t say what’s best for their child. I recognize that this analogy is simplified, but it does represent the essence of what Congress is doing in this case. Terri’s legal guardian can’t speak on her behalf (say what’s best for her) even though Terri can’t speak for herself. For some reason, that kind of power of a dunamis (1 of 2 Greek words for “power,” meaning the ability to make something happen, from which we derive the word “dynamite”) nature doesn’t strike me as too Democratic.

Finally, I am thoroughly upset with all these idiots that are calling this a “right to life” issue. You know…like abortion.

I am certainly pro-life, but I’m no fool. This is NOT likened unto abortion. So I just wish all those abortion cronies that have jumped on this case as if it is the same thing would just shut up!
Unfortunately, what the Right Wing of Congress has successfully done is what the Bush Campaign did with the War on Terror. They have meshed together Terri Schiavo and Abortion under the umbrella of “right to life” like Bush mended together The War in Iraq and the War on Terror or “good morals” and “good government,” even though we know the Wars are separate and anyone with two eyes should recognize that good morals (as defined by the Neo-Cons) doesn’t equal good government (read my Post-election blog on November 3rd). Sadly, however, people are eating this “right to life” notion up like a Sumo Wrestler at a Buffet.

I will say, however, it does seem skeptical that Michael Schiavo apparently received over a Million dollars in court settlements in order to pay for his wife’s medical bills and the like, but she hasn’t received therapy since about that same time. It would seem to me that if he truly wanted to see his wife recover, that he would have put at least some of that money towards therapy. Also, he has a girlfriend and children from that relationship as well, so I understand the parents when they say that he should divorce Terri and just move on with his life.

So like I said before, this a very tough situation. And it is still unclear if Terri is indeed in a persistent vegetative state or if therapy would help her at all. If I could make a suggestion to Michael, I’d tell him to have the feeding tube reinserted, and somehow have Terri’s family consent to a 3-5 year trial period where therapy is administered. If there is no significant change, pull the plug. If there is, divorce her and leave her in the care of her family.

But honestly, that all seems totally unnecessary to me. And ultimately the most suffering through all of this won’t come from this nation, Terri’s family, or Michael Schiavo; Terri will suffer the most, and is suffering throughout the midst of this vain debate. For some reason, that fact seems to be lost in all this madness.

-Maelstrom